Fund-raiser brings in $44,000 for Costa Mesa girl

Danette Goulet

COSTA MESA -- A fund-raiser this month for Brianna Olympius, a

9-year-old Costa Mesa girl who underwent surgery last month to remove a

benign brain tumor, brought in $44,000 to help pay her medical bills.

Brianna, a fourth-grade student at Newport Heights Elementary School,

was diagnosed with the brain tumor last month.

She underwent a grueling seven-hour surgery in which 90% of the tumor

at her brain stem was removed. Since then, she has had two innovative,

noninvasive gamma knife treatments.

As Brianna and her family struggle to combat the noncanceroustumor and

keep up with her medical bills, the community is rallying around them,

offering both emotional and financial support.

The fund-raiser held last week at the Village Crean attracted 80

guests, said Teri Cerano, a friend of the family who organized the event.

The evening was titled “Butterflies for Brianna,” which tugged at the

heartstrings of all who know her and her passion for the winged

creatures.

With food prepared at no cost by Michael Kang of Five Feet in Laguna

Beach, organizers had no trouble enticing donors.

A live auction offered bidders a stay in a French chateau, complete

with air fare, theater tickets and a five-hour limousine service;

basketballs signed by Jerry West; and a variety of other fabulous items.

The money raised, however, barely covered only one of Brianna’s

hospital bills, Cerano said, so donations are still being sought.

FYI

For information on how you can help, call Teri Cerano at (949)

642-1189. Donations can be sent to Brianna Olympius Donations, c/o Ron

Searcy, 300 E. 15th St., Newport Beach 92663